The onset of HIV infection in the Leningrad region of Russia: a focus on drug and alcohol dependence

• Published in: HIV medicine 2004-01, Vol.5 (1), p.30-33
• Main Authors: Krupitsky, E, Zvartau, E, Karandashova, G, Horton, NJ, Schoolwerth, KR, Bryant, K, Samet, JH
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: AIDS; alcohol and drug dependence; Alcoholism - complications; Alcoholism - epidemiology; Female; HIV; HIV Infections - complications; HIV Infections - epidemiology; HIV prevalence; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Risk-Taking; Russia; Russia - epidemiology; Substance Abuse, Intravenous - complications; Substance Abuse, Intravenous - epidemiology
• ISSN: 1464-2662; 1468-1293
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-1293.2004.00182.x

Objectives  Within 5 years, 5 million Russians may be infected with HIV. Currently, injection drug use is the major risk factor for HIV. As Russia's alcohol consumption per capita is among the highest in the world, alcohol‐associated behaviours may be an important contributor to the HIV epidemic. Our objective was to examine the prevalence of HIV infection among drug‐ and alcohol‐dependent patients in a regional narcology hospital and in the general population in Leningrad. Methods  All patients in the Narcology Hospital, Leningrad Regional Center of Addictions (LRCA), were tested for HIV antibody between 1997 and 2001. We reviewed these clinical records (i.e. serostatus, gender, age, and addiction) and data from the HIV/AIDS Center in the Leningrad Region (1997–2001). Results  From 1997 to 2001, HIV prevalence at the LRCA increased from 0 to 12.7% overall, 33.4% among drug‐dependent patients and 1.2% among alcohol‐dependent patients. During the same 5‐year period (1997–2001), 2826 persons were registered at the HIV/AIDS Center: 6, 6, 51, 780, and 1983 persons in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001, respectively. Conclusions  HIV infection is exploding in the Leningrad Region, currently in injection drug users (IDUs) but potentially more broadly. The known high per capita alcohol intake in Russia heightens concern regarding the sexual transmission of HIV. Interventions to prevent such a development should include use, and assessment of the effectiveness, of known HIV prevention measures for at‐risk and infected individuals.